Guiding Principles so as to Cope with Radical International Changes

It refers to Deng Xiaoping's 24-character foreign policy as in the following: “Observe the situation coolly, hold our ground, act calmly; uphold keeping a low profile (never take the lead) and actively achieve something” which were put forward amidst the severe international situation including the drastic changes in the Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union and when China was economically sanctioned by the Western countries.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Soviet Union and Eastern European countries faced a violent upheaval after a period of “peaceful evolution” strategy targeting them and abandoned the socialist system one after another, and the Soviet Union disintegrated. After China fully quelled the political turmoil in 1989, the United States and other Western countries wanted to use this as a pretext to jointly sanction China. Facing this severe international environment, Deng Xiaoping reflected deeply examined the international strategic questions and put forward a three-aspect policy to respond to the drastic changes occurring in the international situation, which included three aspects:

Firstly, observe the situation coolly, hold our ground, act calmly. On September 4, 1989, Deng Xiaoping pointed out in a conversation with the leading members of the Central Committee: “In short, my views about the international situation can be summed up in three sentences. Firstly, we should observe the situation coolly. Secondly, we should hold our ground. Thirdly, we should act calmly. Don't be impatient; it is no good to be impatient. We should be calm, calm and again calm, and quietly immerse ourselves in practical work to accomplish something — something for China’s development.” Deng Xiaoping repeatedly emphasized the important idea that the Western world indeed hopes China falls into in turmoil. Western world not only hopes China is thrown into in turmoil, but also the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe will be frustrated in chaos. At this critical moment, we should stay calm, avoid anxiety and worries, keep optimistic take things in stride. China needs to hold its ground, otherwise, we will be toppled. There are many people in the world who want us to get better, while there are also many people out there who want to screw us. “If any problem arises in China, it will arise from inside. We must keep clear heads and be vigilant and avoid relaxing. The real problem comes from internally. As long as we don’t make errors and create problems internally, not anyone can frustrate us, even the US can achieve anything.” Currently, since, the international opinion is pressing us, we should stay calm rather than being provoked by others. Most importantly, we must concentrate our efforts on bettering our own affairs. That means to follow the socialism with Chinese characteristics to the end, and earnestly and genuinely carry out the Reform and Opening-up, so that we can firmly hold our ground, cope with complex situation in a cool-headed manner and respond calmly, and strive for continuous development.

Secondly, uphold keeping a low profile, never take the lead, never seek hegemony, we should work more and harder and talk less, focus on our own business. In the face of the grim and complicated international situation, some developing countries would like China to become the leader of the Third World. But we absolutely cannot do that — this is one of our basic state policies. We can't afford to do it and besides, we aren't strong enough. There is nothing to be gained by playing that role; we would only lose most of our initiative. China will always side with the Third World countries, but we shall never seek hegemony over them or serve as their leader. Nevertheless, we cannot simply do

nothing in international affairs; we have to make our contribution. Deng Xiaoping thought that despite that it can be counted as a big country, China is still an underdeveloped country or a developing country. As a force which strives for peace and avoid war, its power is still small.

We should focus on our own business, and do it well, this policy itself will be a contribution to the international communist movement and to Marxism-Leninism. On the other hand, he said: “Engaging in hegemonism will reap a very bad reputation, and this is also true if we attempt to be the leader of the Third World. These are not my polite remarks but a true political evaluation.”

Deng Xiaoping repeatedly stressed: “China will always stand on the side of the Third World, China will never seek hegemony, and China will never take the lead”. In the face of the turmoil in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe and amidst severe situation wherein developed capitalist countries were more wary of China, he courageously pointed out that China’s socialism would develop forever, and no one could an overwhelm it. We should keep them as friends but also have a clear understanding of what they are trying to do. We still need to make friends, but we should be clear all know our own mind. Never criticize, attack or blame others randomly, nor go to extremes in our words and deeds.

In April 1992, Deng Xiaoping emphasized that we should work harder for a few more decades before we truly form a larger political force, consequently we will have a greater say in the international stage and on international affairs.

Again, China has a special importance on the international stage and should and can make a difference which means actively achieve something. To make a difference, internally, China should firmly follow the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics and achieve the grand “two centenary” goals. And internationally, it should “actively promote the establishment of a new international political and economic order”, “act in accordance with the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence”, oppose hegemonism, and do its best to safeguard world peace. Deng Xiaoping’s judgments and thoughts on how to respond to the drastic changes that occurred in the international situation were based not only on a profound understanding of the situation at home and abroad, but also on a deep reflection on the history of the international communist movement and China’s foreign policy over the past decades. His judgments and ideas have safeguarded China's national interests to the greatest extent and have served as far-reaching strategic guiding significance for the foreign policy of China. In the light of the new changes in the international situation, the leadership collective of the CPC has always been calm and sober-minded, correctly handled the relationship between acting calmly; “keeping a low profile (never take the lead)” and “actively achieve something” and “never seeking hegemony” , as well as China has stayed firm tosafeguard her national sovereignty and core national interests, strove hard to maintain global peace, as well as ensured peaceful and stable international environment and regional neighboring environment for China which were the fundamental requirement for Reform and Opening-up, and socialist modernization.